US, Peru seize $30 million in fake dollars, biggest bust ever

Fifty thousand fake euros also seized, 48 people arrested in raids

WASHINGTON: US and Peruvian agents have seized a record $30 million in counterfeit dollars in the biggest netting of fake greenbacks ever by the US Secret Service, the agency said on Thursday.



The stash was discovered when more than 1,500 Peruvian police, along with Secret Service agents, carried out searches and arrest warrants on Tuesday in Lima, the agency said in a statement.

Fifty thousand fake euros were also seized and 48 people arrested in the raids, called Operation Sunset.



Peru is the world’s largest manufacturer and distributor of fake US currency. Six counterfeit plants were shut down, eight manufacturing presses were seized and more than 1,600 printing plates and negatives of denominations were found, the Secret Service said.

The agency, best known for its protection of the US president and visiting foreign dignitaries, was originally founded to combat currency counterfeiting.